All Roads Lead to Blue Diamond for Exceed And Excel's Zulfiqar

Mark Smith - Saturday February 4

Godolphin's Exceed And Excel colt Zulfiqar ran up to his debut win in the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington last October, with a game front-running triumph in Saturday's Group III Lamaro's Hotel Chairman's Stakes (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside.

Zulfiqar is Blue Diamond bound (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Ben Melham for James Cummings, Zulfiqar found the lead from his inside barrier. The favourite Veecee was caught three deep, although Ethan Brown still had a handful of horse when asked for the supreme effort.

Veecee levelled up, but Zulfiqar began to rally and pulled clear to defeat the Capitalist colt Veecee by one and a quarter lengths, with the Showtime debutant Tacit a further length and a quarter back in third.

Born on July 31 2020, Zulfiqar carries the 1 over 2 brand indicating he was the first foal for Godolphin born that year.

The son of Exceed And Excel followed his winning career debut in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes with a fifth, as favourite, in the Group III Maribyrnong Plate on the same track a month later.

Ben Melham said Zulfiqar had taken benefit from the break.

"He has definitely come back a better horse," Melham said.

"James (Cummings) said he was the first foal born on the farm, so that has to count for something.

"He was able to control the race, get to the right part of the track.

Advertisement

"There is no doubt (about the 1200m of the Blue Diamond. He is a sensible horse and was strong through the line.

"He will run well in the Diamond."

Zulfiqar is the first live foal of the winning Elusive Quality mare Sayf Shamal (USA). While she carries the USA suffix, Sayf Shamal (USA) is a daughter of the STC Magic Night Stakes winner Alizes (Rory's Jester).

Alizes is the dam of Godolphin's blue hen Essaouira (Exceed and Excel).

A three-quarter sister to Zulfiqar, Essaouira is the dam of Group 1 winners Alizee and Astern and stakes-placed Tassort and Mogador.

Frankel covered Sayf Shamal (USA) before she was shipped to Australia, but unfortunately, she slipped.

The daughter of Elusive Quality (USA) has a yearling brother to Zulfiqar and a filly foal by Lonhro. She revisited Exceed And Excel last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Lamaro's Hotel Chairman's Stks Gr3 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Soft(6) Time: 0:59.33
1
Zulfiqar
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sayf Shamal (USA) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Melham 59
2
1.3
Veecee
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Isabella (AUS) (Poet's Voice (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 59
3
3.1
Tacito
- 2c Showtime (AUS) x Without Saying (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57
NZB Ready To Run Sale $50,000
Seller: Woburn Farm
Buyer: Khan Altai Resource LLC
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $80,000
Seller: Two Bays Farm, Flinders
Buyer: William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
3.7
Serasana
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Twilight Royale (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D Yendall 57
5
6.0
Written Bligh
- 2f Written By (AUS) x Lady Bligh (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
6
7.7
Hells Son
- 2g Hellbent (AUS) x Mowgli (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Dale Rdr: J Bowditch 57
7
11.0
Miss Burgoyne
- 2f Capitalist (AUS) x Silk Sheets (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 55
8
11.2
Perilous Fighter
- 2c Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Beauty School (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Craig Williams 57
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Exceed And Excel Quinella in Maribyrnong Trial
Exceed And Excel may have missed with the $1,200,000 colt Mach Ten in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick, but he struck shortly after with the Godolphin homebred Zulfiqar in the Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.